I had not imagined this would happen. I was able to greet
Pope personally, kiss his hands and exchange a few words.
My opportunity came because I was a member of the General
Chapter of the Salesians held in Rome from 22nd February to April 14.
During the last week of March the members of the new General
Council, including a new Superior General were elected.
On the last day of the month, the new General Council along
with all the members of the General Chapter had a private audience with Pope
Francis in the Clementine Hall at the Vatican.
We reached the Vatican around 10.00 am. We were able to
enter St. Basilica of St. Peter through a private entrance.
Holy Mass was going on in the Basilica at the time. However,
space had been reserved for us in front of the tomb of St. Peter and we were
allowed in.
The newly elected Rector Major Fr. Angel Fernandez led us in
the Profession Faith in front of the tomb of St. Peter. We then turned to the
statue of Don Bosco, which is right above the statue of St. Peter, a few metres
away from the tomb. The Rector Major then led us in the prayer to Don Bosco
that had been composed by the former Rector Major Pasucal Chaves as preparation
for the General Chapter.
After that we had ample time to pray personally as well as
to take photographs. The Rector Major was very obliging and posed with several
members individually and in small groups in front of the tomb of St. Peter.
Around 11.00 am we moved out of the Basilica toward the
Clementine Hall. There were a number of places where we stopped as a group
under the directions of the Swiss Guards (they were all very young and very
handsome!).
Finally having walked up a number of flights of stairs (there
were so many of them!) we entered the Clementine Hall and waited for the Pope.
The Clementine Hall, in memory of Pope Clement VIII, is
remarkable for the frescoes that cover the ceiling and the walls. I was especially
impressed by the representation of “Goodness” and “Religion” that stood out
right in front, along with the Coat of Arms of Clement VIII.
The Rector Majors (emeritus and present) and members of the
General Council (past and present) took their seats in the front and second row.
In deference to the Argentine origins of Pope Francis, all the Chapter members
from Argentina were called in front to sit just behind the Council Members.
At precisely 12.00 noon all the doors of the Clementine Hall
were shut. There was a buzz of anticipation in the Hall, and curiosity! Which
door will Pope Francis use to enter the hall? Will be come from the back door
and walk through the aisle greeting those on either side?
After a few moments, the official Vatican photographers
entered, microphone was set in place. And the Pope entered from the right,
through one of the larger doors. The hall resounded with applause.
Pope Francis went straight to Pascual Chaves (Rector Major
Emeritus) and greeted him with a warm embrace. He then moved to Fr. Angel Fernandez
and did the same. The staccato of the official photographers’ cameras was like
that of rapid fire machine guns!
The Pope then moved to his chair, which was not on a
platform but on the same level on the floor as the chairs of members in the
audience. I think there was a message in that. Later, in a photo-book on the
Clementine Hall, I noticed that earlier there was a two-step platform on which
the chair was placed.
Fr. Angel then read a brief message of greeting.
Pope Francis then read his message, in Italian. He looked up
from his prepared text a few times and spoke from his heart.
The one spontaneous exhortation that stood out for me and
one which he said with the greatest intensity, and I thought with some sorrow,
was this (from my understanding of Italian): “I know you Salesians work for
young people. But work for the really needy young. There are 75 million young
people who are unemployed today.”
I thought the Pope looked tired and his voice too seemed
tired. His usual smiles and serene countenance were not so evident (though they
came through occasionally). I think the
burden of his Petrine Ministry is beginning to weigh on him.
After the Pope concluded his message, the Members of the
General Council, and the Argentinian delegation walked up front to greet the
Pope individually.
And then an announcement was made that the Pope wanted to
greet every member of the Chapter in person. The hall resounded with applause
at the announcement.
Some members tried to kneel as they greeted the Pope. But he
prevented each of them from doing so, lifting them up. When my turn came, I
kissed his hands and told him: “I bring you the good wishes and prayers from
many people in India.” I too had tried to kneel, but he gently prevented me.
What stands out for me from the meeting is the simplicity
and more especially the cordiality, familiarity and fatherliness. I think Pope
Francis is making a conscious effort to put aside the pomp and power and be
what Popes are meant to be – a father and a good shepherd.
As I recently read in an article on Pope Francis in The New Yorker
– The Prodigal Father is returning to his home. A father who personifies mercy
and compassion.
